Davis County health department projects budget shortfall, flags possible cuts to senior services

Brian, a health department official, told the Davis County Budget Committee on Sept. 29 that the department faces a multi‑year funding shortfall as recent federal grants and some ARPA dollars wind down, and urged the commission to decide whether to use one‑time reserves, reduce services or seek new revenue.

The presentation to the Davis County Budget Committee in the Admin Building summarized revenue and expenditure projections for the department’s fund. Brian said health revenues are projected at about $12.5 million in FY2026 (an increase of roughly $240,000 compared with the prior year), while senior services revenues are expected near $3.3 million (down about $300,000). Property‑tax revenue was described as roughly $6.0 million; a public‑health infrastructure grant was pulled into 2026, temporarily boosting health revenue but creating a subsequent “cliff” if those funds are spent in a single year.

“The federal funding has disappeared,” Brian said, adding that some ARPA funds also expire next year. He told the committee the department is already trimming personnel — eliminating roughly 20 positions versus the prior year — and that personnel expenditures are down as a…